Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements
Utility Patent
1998-10-13
2001-01-02
dela Torre, Crescelle N. (Department: 2773)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display driving control circuitry
Controlling the condition of display elements
Utility Patent
active
06169545
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to apparatus for accessing, from a remote source, data defining a graphical representation of a virtual environment, with the user being enabled to select a viewpoint within the virtual environment and having means for rendering a display of the virtual environment from that viewpoint.
A description of a service providing a virtual environment (or cyber-space) accessible by remote users is given in European patent application EP-A-0 697 613 (Sony Corp.). The system described includes a server providing a virtual reality space, and user terminals connected to the server via a high-speed communications network (using optical fibres or the like). In operation, the server maintains a number of virtual environments and supports many differing terminal types by the use of conversion objects between information objects and user objects: the conversion objects provide individually tailored translation for communications back and forth between each type of terminal and each configuration of virtual environment supported.
A particular benefit arises when the format of data storage and representation for virtual environments is at least partially standardised, allowing for greater interchange between systems of different manufacturers as well as a reduction in the necessity for individually tailored translation utilities. With at least partial standardisation, the necessary configuration of a browser for accessing such data, whether in hardware or software implementation or a mixture of the two, becomes simpler.
A notable example of standardisation in the field of data defining virtual environments is the so-called Virtual Reality Modelling Language (VRML) as described, for example, in the VRML standard, version 2.0, issued as ISO/IEC WD14772 on Aug. 4, 1996. VRML is a file format for describing interactive three-dimensional objects and worlds to be experienced on the Internet/World Wide Web and it is generally analogous to the way HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is used to describe documents for transmission over the Internet. A number of examples of VRML browsers are discussed in “Building VRML Worlds” by E. Tittel et al, published by McGraw Hill 1997, ISBN 0-07-882233-5, at pages 26 to 31. The functionalities of the different browsers, over and above the basic required for conformity, depend to a large extent on their target host system and the likely uses of the same, as well as whether they are purpose-built/written or whether they are modifications of earlier utilities.
In order to simplify the specification of how objects appear within a virtual environment, it is a known technique to restrict such objects to constructions from indexed face sets of geometrical data including a limited set of “building blocks” such as spheres, cylinders, cones and boxes, which may be simply specified in relatively few parameters. Onto these components, graphic textures may be mapped. These textures form one of a number of assets for the virtual environment (others include audio and video segments, and scripting code segments) which may be used once or several times within a single generated view of the environment. In order to allow a browser implementation to operate with the minimum amount of run-time data required to simulate (including rendering both graphically and audibly) the complete virtual world, the technique of instancing may be used, with one or more of the assets requiring to be defined on just its first appearance within a view; subsequent appearances within the same view make use of the definition in the previous instance.
Whilst this technique saves storage by avoiding repeatedly defining features, the applicants have recognised that further and greater savings may be made by extending the broad concept of instancing to further operational functions of an environment browser.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a user operable means for browsing data defining a virtual environment and rendering a view of the same, having improved efficiency in the handling of data assets associated with the generation and functions of said virtual environment.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a data processing apparatus configured as a virtual environment data browser, the apparatus comprising a processor coupled with at least one memory device and data network interface means capable of receiving data defining a virtual environment and objects therein when coupled to a data network including a source of such data, the apparatus further comprising user input means and being configured to periodically generate an image based on said data defining the virtual environment and objects and from a viewpoint at a location and with an orientation in said virtual environment determined at least partially by input from said user input means; characterised in that the apparatus is arranged to maintain a record in the form of a master list in the memory identifying data assets received via said network and stored in the memory, to scan the master list to determine whether a particular asset is already stored on encountering a subsequent apparatus requirement for that asset and, if not, to formulate and send to the remote source of data via the data network a request for supply of said asset.
Where the network is the World Wide Web, assets obtained from data sources coupled thereto may suitably be identified in the master list by their respective Uniform Resource Locators. Where two or more types of asset are identified and stored in the memory, the master list is preferably subdivided into respective sections for each asset type. Although some additional memory is required for the maintenance of the master list, this will generally be more than offset by the reduction to one in the number of copies of various assets stored, together with the avoidance of unnecessary calls via the Web to obtain assets that the browser already holds.
A further memory device may be incorporated within the browser, with the apparatus being configured to identify and store therein a predetermined type of asset from amongst those received. This further memory device, where provided, may suitably contain a local master list for the assets stored therein, and the apparatus is suitably arranged to update the master list and local master list as assets are added to, or deleted from, the memory or the further memory device. The further memory device may be a small fast-access device, for example holding data defining graphics textures.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5956038 (1999-09-01), Rekimoto
patent: 6020885 (2000-02-01), Honda
patent: 0697613A2 (1996-02-01), None
patent: 0753835A2 (1997-01-01), None
patent: 0753836A2 (1997-01-01), None
patent: 0899924A2 (1999-03-01), None
“Building VRML Worlds” by E. Tittel et al, McGraw Hill 1997, pp. 26-31.
Gallery Richard D.
Heron Dale R.
Verhagen Michael K.
dela Torre Crescelle N.
Thorne Gregory L.
U.S. Philips Corporation
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